- The event will bring together international organisations and businesses from Africa and Japan
- The objective is to promote high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and development partners
- The online conference will take place between 24 August and 15 September.
Aston University is set to co-host the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8).
TICAD8 is the eighth event of TICAD, having been initiated by Japan in 1932. The conference brings together international organisations and business representatives from African countries and Japan to promote the digitalisation of African nations to keep pace with other leading economies.
Cyber security and data privacy will be two of the main topics up for discussion as well as central bank digital currencies (CBDC). CBDC is a government-issued fiat currency, that is, a currency not backed by a commodity such as gold. The use of an ideal CBDC will eliminate over 100,000 armoured cars carrying cash for ATM machines all over the world, reducing CO² emissions. Transitioning to fiat currency requires the highest level of cyber security.
Koji Fusa, CEO at GVE Ltd - one of the fastest growing fintech unicorn based in Japan - and visiting professor at the Cyber Security Innovation (CSI) Centre at Aston Business School, said:
“It is wonderful that Aston University will be co-hosting such an important event and I am looking forward to seeing how the University can contribute to such an important issue.
“The work being done in the University’s CSI Centre will be crucial in promoting best practice within cyber security and data privacy in the context of digitalisation.
“ISO/IEC 24643, the architecture for a distributed real-time access system, is also very important in ensuring inter-operability among different sophisticated systems for a 24/7 online world.
“This is particularly important in terms of healthcare, which requires nations to spend the highest budget for the future. The event will focus on all of this, and guests will be able to ask questions to the experts taking part.”
Professor George Feiger, executive dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences at Aston University, will be speaking at the conference and said:
“It will be an honour to speak at this extremely important event on behalf of Aston University.
“The University is producing very important research in the field of cyber security having recently helped launch the UK government’s National Cyber Strategy 2022 in Birmingham last year, promoting diversity in the sector and upskilling the UK’s workforce.
“It is an opportunity to show the world how the University’s CSI Centre is working to make the world a safer place for everyone online.”
Director of the CSI Centre, Professor Vladlena Benson, said:
“The CSI Centre conducts internationally recognised research.
“Fintech and Health are two sectors which are paramount for the UK economy and global stability.
“The significant portfolio of research and consultancy in these areas supports the National Cyber Strategy objectives.
“We are delighted to be co-hosting the TICAD8 this year.”
You can sign up to each of the events here.
- Notes to Editors
The Centre brings together stakeholders from industry, government and leading cybersecurity research institutions. CSI members include globally recognised academics undertaking projects that address real-world cyber security challenges through innovative solutions.
The scope of the international Cyber Security Innovation Centre is to strategically manage operations and build effective relationships across academia, industry, and policymakers.
About Aston University
Founded in 1895 and a University since 1966, Aston is a long established university led by its three main beneficiaries – students, business and the professions, and our region and society. Aston University is located in Birmingham and at the heart of a vibrant city and the campus houses all the university’s academic, social and accommodation facilities for our students. Saskia Loer Hansen is the interim Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive.
Aston University was named University of the Year 2020 by The Guardian and the University’s full time MBA programme has been ranked in the top 100 in the world in the Economist MBA 2021 ranking. The Aston MBA has been ranked 12th in the UK and 85th in the world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Sam Cook, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44)74469 10063 or email: s.cook2@aston.ac.uk
Be first to get the latest news, research and expert comment from Aston
by following us on Twitter